College student facing possible deportation

After living in America for 13 years, a local college student could be deported back to Honduras.

Sthefany Flores didn't decide to come to this country.

“I was 7 years old and didn’t know where I was going. They told me I was going on an adventure, that I had to behave, and I was going to a better place,” Flores said.

Now 20, the Forest City woman is a junior at Gardner-Webb University. Two weeks ago Flores' world was rocked. She came home from a trip with Gardner-Webb University’s Model U.N., to find a letter from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“As you know, following a hearing in your case you were found deportable and the hearing officer has entered an order of deportation. A review of your file indicates there is no administrative relief which may be extended to you, and it is now incumbent upon this agency to enforce your departure from the United State,” was the first paragraph she read.

“I was shocked. They had my name, my address and my country of origin. Everything,” Flores said.

Wrong case?

She re-read the letter several times and noticed a mistake.

“My case file number was wrong,” Flores said.

The case number file for an immigrant is similar to a United States citizen’s Social Security number, no two are the same. She called the U.S. Homeland Security office in Charlotte and explained the mix up. Two days later, she received another letter from Immigration.

“It looked like they copied the last letter and put my case number on it,” Flores said.

The letter stated she was to come to the Charlotte office on April 19, with no more than 40 pounds of luggage and a passport so she could be sent back to Honduras. She has tried to speak with Homeland Security about why she could be deported, but has received no answers, she said.

Fighting to stay

Flores is an honors student at Gardner-Webb University majoring in journalism and minoring in political science and theater, has no criminal background and her immigration paperwork under the deferred action for childhood arrivals was renewed on March 15, according to her documentation.

Deferred action allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country as children to receive a renewable, two-year permits to stay in the country.

Not one to sit back, Flores contacted immigration lawyer Carnell Johnson and Byron Martinez with Unidos We Stand in Gastonia. Martinez is an advocate who works with immigrants facing deportation for “unjust” causes.

“I have never dealt with a case like this,” Martinez said. “She is a bright, articulate young woman. An honors student and has never been in any trouble. There is no reason this should be happening.”

What could happen?

Flores doesn't know what will happen on April 19. She could be dismissed and continue her journey to graduate from college in a year and pursue her dream of becoming a journalist, or she could be sent to a detention center and ultimately deported.

“I spoke with my lawyer. We talked about the worst case scenario and best case scenarios,” Flores said.

Martinez is helping Flores navigate some of the legal aspects and paperwork to deal with immigration and deportation. Flores has received multiple character references from professors and from her priest at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Forest City. Martinez has emailed and called state representatives and U.S. congressmen for help.

"This is someone we need to protect. She can be an example to other DACA students," Martinez said.

The foreigner

Flores has focused on prepping for finals and end of the year presentations, but now she has to face the fact she may never take her final exams.

“I’m in my junior year, and I have worked so hard to stay out of trouble and do the best I can possibly do,” she said as tears fell from her eyes. “It just so hard. After 13 years and finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and then to have it taken away when I can see the finish line.”

She fears not being able to graduate, and what awaits her if she is sent to a detention facility for deportation.

“I remember the detention center in Texas. I was cold, anxious and scared,” she said. “I was just so tired. An officer found this compressed mattress and aluminum type blanket for me. The mattress was hard and I was so embarrassed I couldn’t sleep.”

Even though Flores was born in Honduras, she has had little communication with anyone there and has not seen anyone from her home country since she left.

“If I go back I will be considered a foreigner. I will be dubbed the ‘American girl,’” Flores said.

Joyce Orlando can be reached at 704-669-3341 and jorlando@shelbystar.com.